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When people think of a dangerous animal, they often think of sharks, lions, snakes, and other predators. It is hard to think a bird could make that list, mostly because we usually encounter them just singing and minding their own business in trees. However, there is a particular bird that is considered the most dangerous bird that people must be aware of.
The bird we are talking about is the cassowary. It is a bird that almost looks like a dinosaur, with the shape of its head and its bright blue skin. Different institutions and organizations have also agreed to label it the most dangerous bird, but what would they do that? What exactly does the cassowary possess that others do not exhibit?
Meet the Cassowary: A “Dinosaur Bird” of the Rainforest
The cassowaries are actually flightless birds, but they are often large and heavy. They live in the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. They could grow to about 2 meters or over 6 feet tall and weigh more than 50 kilograms, making them one of the heaviest birds on the planet.
They also have strong legs that allow them to run up to 31 miles per hour or around 50km/hr even through dense forest environments. Most of their time is spent hidden in the forests, as they are often shy and mind their own business, but there were times when they have attacked humans mainly due to feeling threatened, or they are protecting their young ones.
Read more: Guinness World Record
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Why Cassowaries Are Considered the Most Dangerous Birds
So, despite their unique builds and characteristics, what else would make the cassowary the most dangerous bird of them all if eagles, hawks, and falcons exist? The main reason stated was their ability to inflict fatal injuries using their legs and claws.
Each of their feet consists of three toes, but the inner one has a claw that could grow up to 4 to 5 inches, acting as a dagger. So, with their powerful leg and kick, armed with this claw, it could easily be fatal against humans or other animals.
Additionally, even if the attacks end up not being fatal, they could probably still cause serious injuries. So, based on their ability to inflict damage, strong legs, unique head, size, and speed, they are often compared to a dinosaur, and were labeled the most dangerous bird.
Author's Final Thoughts
So, what is the most dangerous bird? The answer is often cassowary, but it could still change depending on the definition of the label. But, with their powerful leg that could kick with armed dagger-like claws, they have all the tools to be dangerous to the point that it reaches a place in the record books.
Read next: Why Don’t Crocodiles Eat Capybaras? — Here’s What Researchers Found
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